Physiological lectures, exhibiting a general view of Mr. Hunter's physiology : and of his researches in comparative anatomy. Delivered before the Royal College of Surgeons, in the year 1817 / By John Abernethy.

  • Abernethy, John, 1764-1831.
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physiological lectures, exhibiting a general view of Mr. Hunter's physiology : and of his researches in comparative anatomy. Delivered before the Royal College of Surgeons, in the year 1817 / By John Abernethy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    In praising Hunter, I by no means wish to disparage Cuvier; on the contrary I ac- knowledge the industry with which he has collected information by reading; and the great additions he has made to the stock of public knowledge relative to the subjects on which he treats. I admire, also, his clear arrangement, and the genius which is dis- played throughout his works. We observe a constant endeavour to discover the series and order of facts ; the variety of means em- ployed for effecting the same purpose; at- tempts to reduce a number of facts to one general principle ; in short, the endeavour to discover the causes and nature of what- ever we observe; the hope of effecting which, appears to be the most potent in- centive to labour, and the accomplishment its most gratifying reward. To shew that * Cuvier has not wrought so hard without some animating motive, I quote his own words. Pourquoi tel animal ne se nour- rit-il que de chair, tel autre que de vege- taux ? D’ou celui-ci tire-t-il la finesse de son odorat, ou celle de son ouie ? D’ou viens que I’oiseau voit egalment bien a des